Newswire - International

Canada's developmental squad was expecting a much stiffer test in the third match of the ICC America's T20 Division One Tournament in Florida today, however it did not materialize as Canada rolled by Bermuda to a 3-0 record.

Batting first, Bermuda were reduced to 31-8 by Grant Broadhurst (3-8) and Junaid Siddiqui (3-20). A late charge by Bermuda brought them to 79-9. In reply Canada lost an early wicket and then moved to 40-1 in 7.3 overs (J Sandher 17*, T Bastiampillai 7*) before rain intervened.

Caribbean T20 Champions Trinidad and Tobago will make Canada part of their preparation for the Champion's League Qualifier by visiting Canada for the Cricket Canada Summer Festival August 11th and 12th at Maple Leaf Cricket Club.

The annual event which saw joint winners Canada and WI HPC in 2010 will see Canada, Afghanistan and Trinidad and Tobago battle for the trophy.
Cricket Canada will have much to look forward to for fans of all ages during the 10 days around the Festival in addition to the festival matches itself on August 11th and 12th.

A quickfire 40 (31 balls) from Khuroo Wadia broke Canada out of an early funk and with contributions from skipper Jimmy Hansra (27 off 19) and Usman Limbada (23 off 20) Canada got to 130-8 in 20 overs.

In reply, Cayman got off to a steady start but Canada's spinners, led by man of the match Zahid Hussain (4-7) held Cayman to 66-7 from 20 overs.

The ICC's decision to slash minnows' representation at the next two World Twenty20 tournaments has sparked outrage among Associate and Affiliate nations, who - after a heated and emotional meeting on Wednesday - have decided to lodge a formal protest at Thursday's full council. The logic of the ICC's decision is further undermined by the fact that the qualification process for the World Twenty20 is already underway - but will now be for just two spots instead of six.

The International Cricket Council has reversed its decision to exclude associates from the 2015 Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The format and timing of the qualification tournament is still to be decided but it is expected that it will follow the format used in 2009 where Canada finished second in South Africa. The decision ensures that Canada will have a chance to qualify for what would be their fifth cricket world cup and fourth in succession. Canada previously played in 1979, 2003, 2007 and 2011.

The ICC has also decided to return the T20 World Cup in 2012 and 2014 to the format used in 2010 which includes 12 teams of which 2 will be associates.MORE COVERAGE ON CRICINFO

The ICC Intercontinental Cup match due to start between Ireland and Namibia in Belfast tomorrow will not go ahead as planned.

Cricket Namibia failed to arrive in time to play the match citing difficulties in securing UK travel visas for its squad members. It is still hoped that the two 50-over international matches will go ahead as planned provided the Namibia team arrives in time for those fixtures.

As previously stated, while the ICC offers assistance where it can, it is the responsibility of each team's home board to arrange its own visas in advance of any tour.

Following due consideration and consultation, the ICC has given the two participating home boards the opportunity to propose an amicable agreement as to how best to deal with the I Cup fixture and any other relevant matters.

The Decision Review System may have grabbed all attention in the first half of the ICC's annual conference in Hong Kong, but June 28 will belong to the little guys: the ICC's Executive Board will revisit its widely condemned decision to shut the doors for the 2015 World Cup on the Associate nations. On Monday, the Chief Executives' Committee recommended to the Board a qualification tournament for 2015, without specifying the number of slots open to the Associates.MORE COVERAGE ON CRICINFO

Hiral Patel and Rizwan Cheema have inked new deals with Cricket Canada. Two of the biggest hitters in Canada's batting line-up Cheema and Patel are the first two players to sign central contracts for the 2011 season.

Long known as one of Canada's big bats, Cheema has solidified himself as an allrounder picking up 25 wickets in 27 ODI's to go with 599 ODI runs at a healthy strike rate of 117.25.

Patel, one of Canada's dazzling young stars, rose to world wide fame when he pelted Australia for a stunning half century at the 2011 Cricket World Cup. This included the shot of the tournament of Australia's Brett Lee.

Cricket Canada will announce more central contracts as agreements with the players are confirmed.